TeachersFirst Professional Exclusives
TeachersFirst’s Professional Exclusives help you learn as a teacher, try new technologies, explore new teaching strategies, or understand student differences. Discover how and why to use wikis from the Wiki Walk-Through. Learn to adapt for ESL students in a regular classroom. Learn the how and why of better rubrics – and locate or create them easily. Every TeachersFirst professional exclusive is written by experienced teachers and includes the pragmatic, teacher-friendly details that you count on from our Thinking Teachers.
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Hands Off, Vanna! Giving Students Control of Interactive Whiteboard (IWB) Learning - TeachersFirst/Candace Hackett Shively
Grades
K to 12tag(s): iwb (33)
In the Classroom
Teachers in any subject and grade level will find ideas for IWB learning in their classroom. Make this professional information a self-guided tour to improve your use of a new or existing IWB. Share it with colleagues for an informal inservice session. Everything is here for you to explore and learn. If you are in charge of leading professional development about IWBs, this new perspective on student-centered use will send Vanna packing and inspire many new avenues for learning.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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OK2Ask: Differentiation for Remote Learning - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12Creating the learning...more
Creating the learning environment for every student is difficult when faced with remote learning. Without differentiated instruction, students may not thrive. Promote engagement by providing students with a choice of materials that allows them to acquire the required skills. Allow students to demonstrate what they have learned in various ways. Learn strategies for remote differentiation when you join this session. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Understand Tomlinson's model for differentiated instruction; 2. Explore ways to provide multiple options to access content; and 3. Plan a differentiated content strategy for the classroom. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): differentiation (88), professional development (404), remote learning (56)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: Around the World Using Google Search Tips & Tricks - TeachersFirst
Grades
1 to 12Join us for this...more
Join us for this light-hearted session where you take the role of a student working on a real-world connection project. Learn to use Google search tools like a Ninja as you prepare and submit your project. The tips and tricks presented in this session will help empower your students as they use research strategies to locate information and resources for projects and other creative work. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Understand how effective search strategies assist with student research; 2. Plan for the introduction of search strategies in the classroom; and 3. Create a project exemplar to share with students. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): digital citizenship (88), Google (51), media literacy (103), professional development (404), Research (84), search strategies (22)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: Engage & Inspire with Virtual Field Trips - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12Make an ordinary day...more
Make an ordinary day extraordinary. Provide important context for your content, ratchet-up engagement, and immerse all students in authentic learning experiences with virtual field trips. Discuss strategies that can deepen learning and focus on targeted instructional goals, whether challenges and observations during or reflections and extensions post-experience. Explore different field trip options and identify destinations that support your educational setting. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1.Understand how to use virtual field trips in the classroom; 2. Explore virtual field trip options; and 3. Plan for the use of virtual field trips in your classroom. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): remote learning (56), virtual field trips (84)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: Build Comprehension with Tech Tools for Reading Fluency - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12Want to increase student...more
Want to increase student comprehension? We can show you one way to...Research tells us that reading slowly can negatively effect student comprehension, so increasing reading fluency is a quick way to effect student comprehension. In this session, we will investigate ways to use technology to increase reading fluency. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Understand how reading fluency effects comprehension; 2. Explore 3 edtech strategies that can be used to enhance reading fluency; and 3. Plan for the use of technology integrated reading fluency strategies. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): professional development (404), reading comprehension (142), reading strategies (99)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: Bitmojis to Support Instruction: Oh, Yeah! - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12Looking for a way...more
Looking for a way to "jazz things up" in the classroom? Look no further! Use your personalized emoji to capture student attention and facilitate your lesson. Create a Bitmoji classroom scene to share the week's reading materials, take students on a virtual field trip, or create an escape room activity. This is definitely bells and whistles, but who doesn't like to have a little fun? Join us, and you too can participate in the Bitmoji classroom craze. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Learn how to create a Bitmoji classroom scene; 2. Share ways to use Bitmoji scenes for instruction; and 3. Plan for the instructional use of Bitmoji scenes. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): classroom management (122), professional development (404), remote learning (56)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Now I See! Infographics as content scaffold and creative, formative assessment - TeachersFirst: Candace Hackett Shively and Louise Maine
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): infographics (56)
In the Classroom
Read through this professional tutorial if you have even considered trying infographics with your students. You will find just the encouragement you need. Mark this one in your Favorites and share the many examples with your students, including student-created examples from a ninth grade class, as you launch your own infographics projects. Let your students "show what they know" in a new way.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: 3 Cool Tools That Support Growth in the K-8 Classroom - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 8Want to use an...more
Want to use an engaging and challenging learning platform to bridge content knowledge gaps for your students? Come to this session and learn about three tech tools that will help you reach every student at their level. ReadTheory and Prodigy will help find and fix missing skills in English and Math, while Freckle Education can be used in all four core content areas. Learn how to leverage these free, adaptive online tools to improve student outcomes. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Learn about content area tools to use in the classroom to bridge knowledge gaps; 2. Understand how to use assessment data to guide intervention; and 3. Collaborate with other participants on ways to use these tools in instruction. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): professional development (404)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Nourishing Gifted Through Technology in Any Classroom - TeachersFirst/Melissa Henning and Candace Hackett Shively
Grades
K to 12tag(s): differentiation (88), gifted (65)
In the Classroom
Mark these pages in your Favorites as a reference whenever you have gifted students. These students may or may not be officially identified, but sometimes trying these strategies will save you and the student a lot of frustration. When it comes time to offer choices, share the handpicked tool collections in this article with your gifted students so they have a solid place to start. For more ideas about gifted, try the gifted tag in reviews, use a keyword search including the term "gifted," or browse for the subject "Gifted" in the TeachersFirst Subject/Grade pages.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: 3 Cool Tools for Social Studies - TeachersFirst
Grades
5 to 12Explore, compare,...more
Explore, compare, and contrast three different online tools designed to engage students in grades 5 - 12 in meaningful civics and historical learning. Participants will learn about the features of these three free tools and then explore ways to use them in upper elementary through high school classrooms. Pairing these tools with pedagogically sound instructional strategies will provide a foundation on which to build critical thinking skills. Participants will: 1. Understand how the use of simulations and primary sources can convey difficult material in a way that's interesting and accessible; 2. Explore three free educational tools to support social studies instruction in grades 5-12; and 3. Plan for the use of one of the three tools in the educational setting. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): professional development (404)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: 3 Cool Tools for Digital Reading - TeachersFirst
Grades
2 to 12Digital or online...more
Digital or online reading is different from reading print. Digital reading often includes a research component that is not linear, so when reading online, students need to clarify their purpose and then evaluate and synthesize information. Come learn about the processes involved in digital reading and explore three tools that will help you teach critical strategies to your students. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Understand skills and processes involved in digital reading; 2. Explore tools that help students find, evaluate, and synthesize what they read; and 3. Plan for digital reading instruction in the classroom. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): digital reading (16), professional development (404)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: Tech-Infused Vocabulary Strategies - TeachersFirst
Grades
1 to 12Engage students...more
Engage students and get them excited to jump into learning with tech tools to support direct instruction for vocabulary. Learn to implement direct instruction based on Marzano's strategies to expand vocabulary in all subject areas and increase success in school and on achievement tests. Using the six-step approach, we'll explore tech tools to help bring vocabulary from short-term memory into long-term memory. Discover how to choose tech tools you can use to increase student collaboration and provide data for formative assessments. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Review Marzano's strategies for vocabulary instruction; 2. Explore tools for vocabulary instruction; and 3. Understand how to use tech tools to create formative assessments for vocabulary. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): professional development (404), vocabulary (237), vocabulary development (87)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Help! I lost my library/media specialist - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 5tag(s): book lists (161), independent reading (86), literacy (110), reading lists (77)
In the Classroom
Mark this one in your favorites as you plan for classroom or library read-along and information literacy lessons. Share the ideas with parent volunteers and other teachers within your school as you struggle to "do more with less." Use the "share" widget to send great ideas to fellow teachers or afterschool program coordinators. Share the URL for the current read-along list on your class web page so parents can do a read-along at home, too. Need help finding the books you want from this list in your school library? Use the ISBNs to search for them on interlibrary loan from a local public library.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: Measuring Authentic Learning Activities with Exit Tickets - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12Knowing if students...more
Knowing if students "caught what was taught" is crucial in instruction. This session introduces the concept of exit tickets and ways you can use them to gauge what your students took away from your lessons. Learn to use the data from these informal formative assessments to adjust your instructional plan to accommodate the needs of your students. Allow students who are ready to move on and give those who need additional instruction the attention they need. Join us to explore the use of exit tickets and determine how they can fit into your instructional plan. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Learn about three categories of exit tickets; 2. Understand how to use exit ticket data; and 3. Plan for the use of exit tickets in your setting. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): Formative Assessment (71), professional development (404)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: Easy and Engaging Projects for Your Reading Classroom - TeachersFirst
Grades
2 to 12Tired of giving students...more
Tired of giving students the same language arts assignments? Want to switch things up? Join us to look at a few quick and easy ways to refresh your lessons and gauge student comprehension using authentic assessments. Learn to use technology to create an environment that allows students to share important connections they have made between what they have read and their personal lives, other texts, and the world around them. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Learn authentic ways to assess reading comprehension; 2. Explore tools for quick and easy in-class reading projects; and 3. Create a project sample for use in your instructional setting. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): Formative Assessment (71), professional development (404), reading comprehension (142)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: Sway Cool Reading - TeachersFirst
Grades
2 to 12Good readers take...more
Good readers take breaks to process what they're reading. Learn research-based strategies to use Microsoft Sway to guide comprehension. Helping students become aware of reading comprehension strategies allows them to manage their learning and empowers them to read strategically. This is especially helpful in a flipped or blended learning model. Join us and learn how to put Sway into action in your classroom! As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Learn three active reading comprehension strategies; 2. Understand where these strategies fit in the instructional cycle; and 3. Plan for the use of Sway during reading instruction. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): blended learning (37), flipped learning (9), Microsoft (80), professional development (404), reading comprehension (142), reading strategies (99), remote learning (56)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: MIE Day - Want to Build an Inclusive Classroom? Learning Tools is Your Superpower - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12Empower students of...more
Empower students of every age or ability to improve reading, writing, and comprehension skills. We know how important it is for educators to design authentic activities that acknowledge and accommodate all varieties of learners. Microsoft Learning Tools brings advanced accessibility options for a wide range of student needs with proven success in reading and writing achievement. See how this and other tools bring content to the student while removing barriers to learning. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Understand the importance of an inclusive classroom; 2. Learn how Microsoft's free learning tools provide proven techniques to improve reading and writing; and 3. Discover how students can leverage these tools to personalize their reading and writing experience. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): Accessibility (9), Microsoft (80), professional development (404)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: Engage & Inspire with Edpuzzle Student Projects - TeachersFirst
Grades
4 to 12Looking for an engaging...more
Looking for an engaging and unique way for students to demonstrate competency? Try Edpuzzle student projects. This free and flexible online tool helps students show-what-they-know while honing real-world skills. Annotating video provides students with opportunities to practice communicating complex ideas and creating authentic media. Allowing students to reflect on what they've learned and their learning process using a nonstandard assessment measure provides a more accurate assessment of what the students know. Plus, it's just fun! As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Explore Edpuzzle student projects; 2. Create an exemplar to share with students; and 3. Plan for the use of Edpuzzle student projects as part of instruction. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): Formative Assessment (71), professional development (404), video (260)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: No Fail Google Quizzes - TeachersFirst
Grades
2 to 12We all know that...more
We all know that learners need feedback. To maximize the benefit from that feedback, it should be given immediately -- ideally after each question. Google Forms can make that happen using conditional branching, the ability to send a user to a different question (or a different page of questions) based on the answer the user supplies. Learn to make your forms more functional and help every student be successful on your next quiz! As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Create a Google Form. 2. Use branching to facilitate instant remediation and feedback. 3. Discuss tips and tricks for management of Google Forms. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): assessment (149), Formative Assessment (71), professional development (404)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Honing Your Craft During the Dog Days of Summer - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 6tag(s): book lists (161), independent reading (86)
In the Classroom
Mark this one in your TeachersFirst favorites, even if you have NO time to even LOOK at it right now. Share it with your student teacher, mentoree, recent teacher ed graduate, and newbie teachers as they go off on break, too. Read what you have time for this summer, and save the rest for a break later on.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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